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President Declares Major Disaster For Florida

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for Florida to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Gustav during the period of August 31 to September 7, 2008.

FEMA Administrator David Paulison said federal funding is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Gustav in the counties of Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.

Paulison named Jeffery L. Bryant the federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Bryant said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.?